Rep. Norma Torres Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Veterans Transition into Civilian Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres introduced the Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act, legislation that will lower barriers for veterans as they transition from military service to civilian employment. The bill directs the Department of Defense, in coordination with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the effectiveness of military-acquired professional credentials in securing state-recognized civilian jobs.
“The Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act helps us hold federal and state agencies accountable so that no veteran is left behind in their pursuit of a stable, fulfilling career. Our servicemembers leave the military with world-class training and skills, but far too often, they hit roadblocks when trying to transfer those credentials into the civilian workforce,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This bill will cut through the red tape and honor their service with real support. We have a duty to ensure veterans aren’t forced to start from scratch after dedicating years to serving this nation.”
The report will include a full accounting of how many veterans are able to successfully transfer their military-acquired credentials to state-recognized certifications. It will also identify the most commonly used credentials—such as those in airplane mechanics—and assess how effectively those credentials translate into civilian employment. Additionally, the report will analyze the systemic barriers that prevent veterans from entering the workforce in the fields they were trained for during their military service.
The bill builds upon data from the Department of Defense’s 2018 Credentialing Utilization Report and will ensure veterans can fully utilize the skills they earned while serving our country.
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